TWO RAVENS A MATCH FOR A FOX.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 177, 18 August 1876, Page 14

TWO RAVENS A MATCH FOR A FOX.

The Griants* Causeway (according to the Londonderry ' Standard, •Which gives a lengthy and graphic description of the occurrence) a few days since was the scene of a combat of the most extraordinary nature : " Some carrion had been deposited on the rocks near the sea, and the fox, evidently with the intention, of making a meal off one of two ravens, which had been attracted to the spot by the putrid mass, curled himself up apparently asleep, close to the carrion. The ravens, however, regarded him with suspicion for some time, and finding that Reynard was not likely to sheer off, and probably unable longer to withstand the effects of what to them was no doubt a grateful and seductive aroma, they, by their threatening attitudes, left little doubt in the minds of the numerous spectators that they intended to bring the matter to an issue. The two ravens eventually advanced, and one of them took his stand at Reynard's head, and the other at his tail. The latter led the attack by assaulting Reynard's brush, the other immediately afterwards following suit by a powerful tap on his head. Reynard feigned indifference to these polite attentions during a few rounds, trusting no doubt that his persecutors would become emboldened and indiicreet, nnd, at the same time, place themselves within his reach. Indiscretion, however, is not a prominent characteristic of the cormis family, and after a few more applications alternately on the head and tail, the position became uncomfortable, and the fox began to show fight 5 but the ravens followed up the assault, first snapping at one and then the other. It was stated the warfare was carried on for more than two hours in this way, and on the whole the balance was against the fox, which, in the words of our contemporary, was much draggled and weakened,|but beeame^more reckless as the fight waxed hotter. At this juncture they had worked or fought up'to the edge of the rock on which the carrion Lad been deposited. The raven at the enemy's tail had again tickled him, and, after doing so, th< one at his head gave him a fearful pinch, upon which the fox turned after him with great fury. The one at his tail again performed, and during the passage of the fox after the other raven, gave him a sound onward thud, accelerating.hia t speed so much that he lost his balance, and tumbled into the water, amid tho plaudits of the spectators, and tho exulting croak of the ravens."